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According to Rockford, IL-based Rosecrance Health Network, a substanceabuse treatment facility specializing in adolescent treatment, the younger achild is when he or she starts to drink, the higher the chances that analcohol-related problem will develop later in life. "During the holidays someparents want to offer their teenager a treat of sorts," said Dr. Thomas E.Wright, medical director of adolescent services at Rosecrance. "By giving kidsthe go ahead to have one drink, parents are setting precedence. It may seemharmless enough, but by linking alcohol to special occasions parents aretelling their kids that alcohol is a necessary ingredient to a good time."
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"The first question I ask any parent who is planning a family gathering athome is this: How important is alcohol to your family function?" states MaryRoufa, Adolescent Family Program Coordinator for Rosecrance. "It's aboutmaking a safe environment for your child and the type of example you aresetting." Roufa encourages parents to place the greater emphasis on the joyof being together and less on the availability of alcohol.
According to recent research, drinking and driving accidents increasebetween Thanksgiving and New Year's. Emotional challenges also surface duringthe holidays, including increased stress associated with finding the perfectgift, and bouts of depressions also appear to rise during this time period.
"For such a notoriously festive time, a lot of pressure and stress cansurface during the holidays," added Dr. Wright. "For many people, includingadolescents, alcohol is a popular way to manage stress or forget aboutproblems."
To help parents navigate the holiday season with their teenagers,Rosecrance has put together the following tips:
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Rosecrance Health Network is a leading provider of inpatient andoutpatient substance abuse treatment services for adolescents and adults. Formore information please call 1-800-ALCOHOL or visit http://www.rosecrance.org.-- Initiate a conversation with your kids about what they are most and least looking forward to over the holiday season. Ask follow up questions to get to the heart of their anxiety or excitement. -- If you're hosting a party and plan on serving alcohol set a zero tolerance policy with your kids. Remind them that some adults at the party may choose to have a drink, which is fine. However, underage drinking isn't acceptable by you. -- If someone at your holiday party drinks too much, talk with your kids the next day about that person's behavior and the altering effects of alcohol. -- If your teenager wants to host a party of their own, work with them to plan the event. This is a great way to steer your teen toward fun activities that don't involve alcohol. Remind them that no alcohol will be permitted. -- If you do host a party, clear out or lock-up leftover alcohol. Keeping an abundance of alcohol in the house after the party can be tempting for teens, especially in homes where having alcohol isn't the norm. -- In addition to alcohol, prescription drugs may also be a target of interest to teenagers or even adults in your home. Secure all d
